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Plainly Speaking
with Karl J. Forehand
The
Creator Speaks
(Genesis 1:3)
by Karl J. Forehand
Last week, we talked about the
preexistence of our Creator. Because
He is the creator, He is worthy of our belief – worthy of our respect –
worthy of our worship. This week, we
will look at the implications when the Creator speaks!
Then God said…
God’s Word is of primary importance. It is not just a piece of the puzzle. It is not co-equal with man’s opinion or
man’s tradition. The Word was
fulfilled in Jesus Christ. In the Old
Testament, the “oracles” of God were most important. There was a longing to know what God
said. The prophets would often begin,
“Thus saith the Lord.”
Certainly, it is important to discover who
God is, but it may be more important to discover what He says. What does He say to the church? What does He have to say to the
unbeliever? What does He say to you
and I? The Bible is that unfolding
revelation from God to man. It is God
revealing His “Word” to mankind.
In creation, what did God’s word do? At the sound of his voice, the universe
was birthed. With a simple command,
the continents came into being. With
a whisper, he clothed the plants and animals. With a “let there be…,” He created a reproductive being that
not only can reproduce, but can conceive of it’s creator. This unique creation, man, can choose
relationship (the ultimate one being to accept the offer of the
creator). At the sound of His voice,
the stars and planets began their orbits.
With just a word, nations are established and toppled. At the sound of His voice – when God says
– things begin to happen.
My professor used to say, “There are only
two things that endure – the Word of God and the souls of men.” Isaiah 40:8 says, “The grass withers, the
flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever.” What God says endures forever. Our souls also live on into eternity –
either to eternal glory or everlasting punishment. Given these truths, it is essential that the two eternal
realities make a connection. In other
words, it is essential that we (whose souls will endure) understand the Word
that will also endure.
The very first thing that God spoke into
existence…
…let there be
light…
There couldn’t be a first day without the
things that measure time. He said
“let there be” (hawyah), translated literally “exist light.” God used the same word to describe himself
to Moses when he said “I am.” In
Greek the expression become ego eimi, which Jesus used to describe
Himself when He said, “Before Abraham was, I am.” When the Bible speaks of marriage, it says the two will become
(exist) as one flesh.” What happens
when God says, “exist light?”
…and there was
light…
Literally translated, “Exist light and
light is.” When God speaks, it is
so. Notice the repetition of Genesis
1. Over and over again, “God said…and
it was so.” God wanted us to know,
very early in His Word, that when He speaks, it is so.
We like to pretend this is true in our
little kingdoms. We might say, “What
I say goes;” but what we say is SO only if God says it is. We have to be careful when we say, “Thus
saith the Lord.” We have to be very
diligent to discover what God is really saying. We have to speak when God speaks. If we speak outside of God’s Word, what we say is not enduring
(think about it).
Numbers 22-24 describes Balaam. Balaam was somewhat of a pagan
“seer.” Some might call him the
ecumenical seer. The account tells us
of the epic struggle between public pressures, his own desires and God’s will
for him to speak only what God told him to speak. I encourage you to read the story.
Peter encouraged us similarly with two
directives and one purpose. Read
along with me:
As each one has
received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards
of the manifold grace of God. Whoever
speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God; whoever serves, let
him do so as by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God
may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion
forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter
4:10-11).
“Each” believer has a gift that should be
used in God’s service. We “receive”
this gift from God, but we must also “employ” it outwardly. We can’t just revel in it – what we breath
in from God must be breathed out to others.
Why? Because that is what a
“good steward” does. They use what
God has given them. Peter divides
this into two broad categories – what we say and how we serve. First, what should we say?
1.
Speak
the utterances of God
What I say, on behalf of God, must not
be just my opinion. If it is my
opinion, it better be an educated opinion based on what God says to me. It cannot be what benefits me or makes me
comfortable. What I “utter” must be
what God utters.
What does that mean? First, I have to be patient and diligent
enough to discover what God is actually saying. I have to listen. Also,
I have to be bold enough to speak.
Very often, the things that God wants me to say are not popular or
safe to say. Last, I have to have the
integrity not to distort the message or flavor it with my own spin.
2.
Serve
in the strength of God
Usually, we approach God’s ministry with
an “I will do what I can” type of mentality.
We evaluate our schedule and our talents and decide what we can “bear”
to do. We ask “Do I have the power,
ability, knowledge and strength to do this thing that God wants me to
do?” Can you see the error in this
approach? If we are going to do God’s
work, it has to be done in his strength.
That means, even in the evaluation process, we are to consider God’s
strength.
3.
Submit
to the glorification of God
The absolute worst question to ask is “How
will this benefit me?” Faith
followers of Christ, throughout the centuries, have given up their
reputation, their fortune and their will to follow Christ. We have not evolved to new process. We are still bound to Jesus’ command to
“deny ourselves, take up His cross and follow Him.” He must get the glory and the worship.
Some Big Questions:
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What
is God saying to you? Will you speak
only that?
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What
does God want you to do? Will you
depend on His power to do it?
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Will
what you are doing or planning to do glorify Jesus Christ? Is that
your ultimate aim?
Copies of all articles can be found at:
http://www.gbfchurch.com/karl4hand/archives.htm
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